هُوَ الدَهرُ فَاصبِر لِلَّذي أَحدَثَ الدَهرُ

هُوَ الدَهرُ فَاصبِر لِلَّذي أَحدَثَ الدَهرُ

فَمِن شِيَمِ الأَبرارِ في مِثلِها الصَبرُ

فَمِن شِيَمِ الأَبرارِ في مِثلِها الصَبرُ

Such is Time; be patient with what Time has brought.

Time passes, so be patient with what time brings,

For patience in such trials is among the virtues of the righteous.

For patience in such times is the way of the virtuous.

سَتَصبِرُ صَبرَ اليَأسِ أَو صَبرَ حِسبَةٍ

سَتَصبِرُ صَبرَ اليَأسِ أَو صَبرَ حِسبَةٍ

فَلا تُؤثِرِ الوَجهَ الَّذي مَعَهُ الوِزرُ

فَلا تُؤثِرِ الوَجهَ الَّذي مَعَهُ الوِزرُ

You will endure with the patience of despair or of seeking God's reward;

You will have the patience of despair or calculated patience,

so do not choose the course that carries sin.

So do not prefer the face that carries sin.

حِذارَكَ مِن أَن يُعقِبَ الرُزءُ فِتنَةً

حِذارَكَ مِن أَن يُعقِبَ الرُزءُ فِتنَةً

يَضيقُ لَها عَن مِثلِ إيمانِكَ العُذرُ

يَضيقُ لَها عَن مِثلِ إيمانِكَ العُذرُ

Beware lest calamity bring temptation in its wake,

Beware that sorrow is followed by tribulation

for which someone of your faith has little excuse.

That will confine the likes of your faith and excuse.

إِذا آسَفَ الثُكلُ اللَبيبَ فَشَفَّهُ

إِذا آسَفَ الثُكلُ اللَبيبَ فَشَفَّهُ

رَأى أَفدَحَ الثَكلَينِ أَن يَهلِكَ الأَجرُ

رَأى أَفدَحَ الثَكلَينِ أَن يَهلِكَ الأَجرُ

When bereavement grieves the wise man and wastes him away,

When bereavement saddens the insightful, healing him,

he sees the graver of two losses in the loss of his reward.

He sees that losing reward is more devastating than losing loved ones.

مُصابُ الَّذي يَأسى بِمَيتِ ثَوابِهِ

مُصابُ الَّذي يَأسى بِمَيتِ ثَوابِهِ

هُوَ البَرحُ لا المَيتُ الَّذي أَحرَزَ القَبرُ

هُوَ البَرحُ لا المَيتُ الَّذي أَحرَزَ القَبرُ

The calamity of him who mourns his reward's death

The real loss is not the deceased lying in his grave,

is the grievous torment, not the dead man whom the grave encloses.

But the one who mourns the death of his reward.

حَياةَ الوَرى نَهجٌ إِلى المَوتِ مَهيَعٌ

حَياةَ الوَرى نَهجٌ إِلى المَوتِ مَهيَعٌ

لَهُم فيهِ إيضاعٌ كَما يوضِعُ السَفرُ

لَهُم فيهِ إيضاعٌ كَما يوضِعُ السَفرُ

The life of humankind is a broad road toward death;

The life of people is a path leading to death, fleeting,

they hurry along it as travelers hurry.

On which they pace as the journey is set out.

فَيا هادِيَ المِنهاجِ جُرتَ فَإِنَّما

فَيا هادِيَ المِنهاجِ جُرتَ فَإِنَّما

هُوَ الفَجرُ يَهديكَ الصِراطَ أَوِ البَجرُ

هُوَ الفَجرُ يَهديكَ الصِراطَ أَوِ البَجرُ

O guide along the path, you have strayed; for it is only

So guide of my path, keep going, for dawn

dawn that guides you to the road—or calamity.

Will guide you on the straight path or the desert.

إِذا المَوتُ أَضحى قَصرَ كُلِّ مُعَمِّرٍ

إِذا المَوتُ أَضحى قَصرَ كُلِّ مُعَمِّرٍ

فَإِنَّ سَواءً طالَ أَو قَصُرَ العُمرُ

فَإِنَّ سَواءً طالَ أَو قَصُرَ العُمرُ

If death has become the final abode of every long-lived man,

When death makes every aged person's home its palace,

then it is all the same whether life is long or short.

Then whether life was long or short is equal.

أَلَم تَرَ أَنَّ الدينَ ضيمَ ذِمارُهُ

أَلَم تَرَ أَنَّ الدينَ ضيمَ ذِمارُهُ

فَلَم يُغنِ أَنصارٌ عَديدُهُمُ دَثرُ

فَلَم يُغنِ أَنصارٌ عَديدُهُمُ دَثرُ

Have you not seen religion's sacred charge violated,

Do you not see that when religion was violated

with no help from supporters, abundant though their numbers were,

Many protectors did not avail, though their number was countless?

بِحَيثُ استَقَلَّ المُلكُ ثانِيَ عِطفِهِ

بِحَيثُ استَقَلَّ المُلكُ ثانِيَ عِطفِهِ

وَجَرَّرَ مِن أَذيالِهِ العَسكَرُ المَجرُ

وَجَرَّرَ مِن أَذيالِهِ العَسكَرُ المَجرُ

where sovereignty rose, bending its flank in pride,

The kingdom took control, dragging behind

and the vast army dragged its trailing skirts?

Its train the defeated troops in disorder.

هُوَ الضَيمُ لَو غَيرُ القَضاءِ يَرومُهُ

هُوَ الضَيمُ لَو غَيرُ القَضاءِ يَرومُهُ

ثَناهُ المَرامُ الصَعبُ وَالمَسلَكُ الوَعرُ

ثَناهُ المَرامُ الصَعبُ وَالمَسلَكُ الوَعرُ

It is a wrong that, had anything but destiny sought it,

If fate had not decreed it, it would have been prevented

the difficult goal and rugged path would have turned it back,

By the difficult attempt and rugged, impassable path.

إِذا عَثَرَت جُردُ العَناجيجِ في القَنا

إِذا عَثَرَت جُردُ العَناجيجِ في القَنا

بِلَيلٍ عَجاجٍ لَيسَ يَصدَعُهُ فَجرُ

بِلَيلٍ عَجاجٍ لَيسَ يَصدَعُهُ فَجرُ

when the sleek, swift steeds stumbled among the spears,

When the barefoot army stumbles in the dark of night

in a dust-choked night no dawn could cleave.

With no bright dawn to illuminate it.

أَأَنفَسَ نَفسٍ في الوَرى أَقصَدَ الرَدى

أَأَنفَسَ نَفسٍ في الوَرى أَقصَدَ الرَدى

وَأَخطَرَ عِلقٍ لِلهُدى أَفقَدَ الدَهرُ

وَأَخطَرَ عِلقٍ لِلهُدى أَفقَدَ الدَهرُ

Has destruction struck down the most precious soul among mankind,

Has any soul in the world sought perdition more

and Time bereft guidance of its most prized treasure?

Or jeopardized guidance, losing the way of life?

أَعَبّادُ يا أَوفى المُلوكِ لَقَد عَدا

أَعَبّادُ يا أَوفى المُلوكِ لَقَد عَدا

عَلَيكَ زَمانٌ مِن سَجِيَّتِهِ الغَدرُ

عَلَيكَ زَمانٌ مِن سَجِيَّتِهِ الغَدرُ

O 'Abbad, most faithful of kings, there has indeed assailed

Loyal servants of the most faithful king, indeed an era

you a time whose nature is treachery.

Has wronged you with its spiteful nature.

فَهَلّا عَداهُ أَنَّ عَلياكَ حَليُهُ

فَهَلّا عَداهُ أَنَّ عَلياكَ حَليُهُ

وَذِكرُكَ في أَردانِ أَيّامِهِ عِطرُ

وَذِكرُكَ في أَردانِ أَيّامِهِ عِطرُ

Why did your glory being its ornament not hold it back,

Why did it not also wrong that its adornments are yours

and your remembrance perfuming the sleeves of its days?

And your memory is the perfume of its days?

غُشيتَ فَلَم تَغشَ الطِرادَ سَوابِحٌ

غُشيتَ فَلَم تَغشَ الطِرادَ سَوابِحٌ

وَلا جُرِّدَت بيضٌ وَلا أُشرِعَت سُمرُ

وَلا جُرِّدَت بيضٌ وَلا أُشرِعَت سُمرُ

You were overtaken, though no gliding steeds entered the combat,

You are shrouded but did not veil the hunting dogs,

nor were white blades drawn, nor brown spears leveled.

No white banners were hoisted nor red spears sharpened.

وَلا ثَنَتِ المَحذورَ عَنكَ جَلالَةٌ

وَلا ثَنَتِ المَحذورَ عَنكَ جَلالَةٌ

وَلا غُرَرٌ ثَبتٌ وَلا نائِلٌ غَمرُ

وَلا غُرَرٌ ثَبتٌ وَلا نائِلٌ غَمرُ

Nor did majesty ward off the dreaded harm from you,

No majesty diverted threats away from you,

nor established glories, nor overflowing bounty.

No proven valor, no victor overwhelming.

لَئِن كانَ بَطنُ الأَرضِ هُيِّئَ أُنسُهُ

لَئِن كانَ بَطنُ الأَرضِ هُيِّئَ أُنسُهُ

بِأَنَّكَ ثاويهِ لَقَد أَوحَشَ الظَهرُ

بِأَنَّكَ ثاويهِ لَقَد أَوحَشَ الظَهرُ

Though the earth's belly was prepared for companionship

If the belly of the earth has been adorned to welcome you

by your dwelling there, its back has indeed grown desolate.

Lying within, it has desolated the surface.

لَعَمرُ البُرودِ البيضِ في ذَلِكَ الثَرى

لَعَمرُ البُرودِ البيضِ في ذَلِكَ الثَرى

لَقَد أُدرِجَت أَثناءَها النِعَمُ الخُضرُ

لَقَد أُدرِجَت أَثناءَها النِعَمُ الخُضرُ

By the life of the white robes in that soil,

By the white tombs in that soil,

within their folds green blessings have been wrapped.

The green bounties have verily been buried inside them.

عَلَيكَ مِنَ اللَهِ السَلامُ تَحِيَّةً

عَلَيكَ مِنَ اللَهِ السَلامُ تَحِيَّةً

يُنَسِّمُكَ الغُفرانَ رَيحانُها النَضرُ

يُنَسِّمُكَ الغُفرانَ رَيحانُها النَضرُ

Upon you be peace from God, a greeting

Peace be upon you from Allah, a greeting

whose fresh basil breathes forgiveness upon you.

Whose gentle forgiveness perfumes you.

وَعاهَدَ ذاكَ اللَحدَ عَهدُ سَحائِبٍ

وَعاهَدَ ذاكَ اللَحدَ عَهدُ سَحائِبٍ

إِذا اِستَعبَرَت في تُربِهِ اِبتَسَمَ الزَهرُ

إِذا اِستَعبَرَت في تُربِهِ اِبتَسَمَ الزَهرُ

And may returning clouds renew their pledge to that grave;

The clouds have vowed to that tomb

when they weep upon its soil, the flowers smile.

To smile with flowers when they weep over its soil.

فَفيهِ عَلاءٌ لايُسامى يَفاعُهُ

فَفيهِ عَلاءٌ لايُسامى يَفاعُهُ

وَقَدرُ شَبابٍ لَيسَ يَعدِلُهُ قَدرُ

وَقَدرُ شَبابٍ لَيسَ يَعدِلُهُ قَدرُ

For within it lies a glory whose height cannot be rivaled,

In it is glorious youth that cannot be rivaled,

and a youthful worth that no other worth can equal.

And a potential never matched by any other.

وَأَبيَضَ في طَيِّ الصَفيحِ كَأَنَّهُ

وَأَبيَضَ في طَيِّ الصَفيحِ كَأَنَّهُ

صَفيحَةُ مَأثورٍ طَلاقَتُهُ الأَثرُ

صَفيحَةُ مَأثورٍ طَلاقَتُهُ الأَثرُ

And a radiant man, enfolded in stone slabs, as though he were

Dazzling white in its enclosure as though it were

the blade of a patterned sword, his bright countenance its pattern.

A well-preserved coin whose traces shine.

كَأَن لَم تَسِر حُمرُ المَنايا تُظِلُّها

كَأَن لَم تَسِر حُمرُ المَنايا تُظِلُّها

إِلى مُهَجِ الأَقيالِ راياتُهُ الحُمرُ

إِلى مُهَجِ الأَقيالِ راياتُهُ الحُمرُ

As though crimson deaths had never marched beneath the shade

As if the red color of death avoided it

of his crimson banners toward the lifeblood of princes;

As its crimson standards approached the arena of battle.

وَلَم يَحمِ مِن أَن يُستَباحَ حِمى الهُدى

وَلَم يَحمِ مِن أَن يُستَباحَ حِمى الهُدى

فَلَم يُرضِهِ إِلّا أَنِ ارتُجِعَ الثَغرُ

فَلَم يُرضِهِ إِلّا أَنِ ارتُجِعَ الثَغرُ

nor had he guarded guidance's sanctuary from violation,

Nor did it protect the sanctuary of guidance

with nothing satisfying him but the frontier's recovery;

Until the lost territory was reclaimed.

وَلَم يَنتَجِعهُ المُعتَفونَ فَأَقبَلَت

وَلَم يَنتَجِعهُ المُعتَفونَ فَأَقبَلَت

عَطايا كَما والى شَآبيبَهُ القَطرُ

عَطايا كَما والى شَآبيبَهُ القَطرُ

nor had petitioners sought his bounty, whereupon came

The repentant did not avail it, so gifts poured

gifts, as rain sends its showers in succession;

As abundant as the showers dripping from the clouds.

وَلَم تَكتَنِف آراءَهُ أَلمَعِيَّةٌ

وَلَم تَكتَنِف آراءَهُ أَلمَعِيَّةٌ

كَأَنَّ نَجِيَّ الغَيبِ في رَأيِها جَهرُ

كَأَنَّ نَجِيَّ الغَيبِ في رَأيِها جَهرُ

nor had brilliant insight encompassed his counsels,

Its views were not shrouded in ostentation

as though, in its judgment, the Unseen's whisper were spoken aloud;

As if the unseen world was openly voiced in its perspective.

وَلَم يَتَشَذَّر لِلأُمورِ مُجَلِّياً

وَلَم يَتَشَذَّر لِلأُمورِ مُجَلِّياً

إِلَيها كَما جَلّى مِنَ المَرقَبِ الصَقرُ

إِلَيها كَما جَلّى مِنَ المَرقَبِ الصَقرُ

nor had he braced himself for affairs, darting forth

It did not divide authority, leaning towards it

toward them as a falcon darts from its lookout.

As the falcon divides its gaze towards the prey.

كِلا لَقَبَي سُلطانِهِ صَحَّ فَألُهُ

كِلا لَقَبَي سُلطانِهِ صَحَّ فَألُهُ

فَباكَرَهُ عَضدٌ وَراوَحَهُ نَصرُ

فَباكَرَهُ عَضدٌ وَراوَحَهُ نَصرُ

The omen of each of his two sovereign titles came true:

The epithets of its sultanate were fulfilled, supporting it,

Support greeted him at dawn, and Victory attended him at evening,

Aided by victory from early on.

إِلى أَن دَعاهُ يَومُهُ فَأَجابَهُ

إِلى أَن دَعاهُ يَومُهُ فَأَجابَهُ

وَقَد قَدَمَ المَعروفُ وَاِستَمجَدَ الذُخرُ

وَقَد قَدَمَ المَعروفُ وَاِستَمجَدَ الذُخرُ

until his appointed day called him, and he answered it,

Until its day called it, and it responded

with goodness gone before him and his store of merit grown glorious.

When good deeds had been done and provisions stored.

فَأَمسى ثَبيرٌ قَد تَصَدّى لِحَملِهِ

فَأَمسى ثَبيرٌ قَد تَصَدّى لِحَملِهِ

سَريرٌ فَلَم يَبهَضهُ مِن هَضبِهِ إِصرُ

سَريرٌ فَلَم يَبهَضهُ مِن هَضبِهِ إِصرُ

So Thabir came to rest, and ready to bear him stood

It became an aged knight who had taken on its burden,

a bier; no load of his mountainous bulk weighed it down.

A throne it had not failed to carry in its firmness.

أَلا أَيُّها المَولى الوَصولُ عَبيدَهُ

أَلا أَيُّها المَولى الوَصولُ عَبيدَهُ

لَقَد رابَنا أَن يَتلُوَ الصِلَةَ الهَجرُ

لَقَد رابَنا أَن يَتلُوَ الصِلَةَ الهَجرُ

O master ever kind to his servants,

O Master, your servants' isolation after losing you

it troubles us that estrangement should follow favor.

Has lasted too long before the hoped for reunion.

نُغاديكَ داعينا السَلامُ كَعَهدِنا

نُغاديكَ داعينا السَلامُ كَعَهدِنا

فَما يُسمَعُ الداعي وَلا يُرفَعُ السِترُ

فَما يُسمَعُ الداعي وَلا يُرفَعُ السِترُ

We visit you at dawn, our caller bearing peace, as before,

We greet you with peace according to our covenant,

but the caller is unheard, and the curtain is not raised.

But neither the caller is heard nor the veil lifted.

أَعَتبٌ عَلَينا ذادَ عَن ذَلِكَ الرِضى

أَعَتبٌ عَلَينا ذادَ عَن ذَلِكَ الرِضى

فَنُعتَبَ أَم بِالمَسمَعِ المُعتَلي وَقرُ

فَنُعتَبَ أَم بِالمَسمَعِ المُعتَلي وَقرُ

Is displeasure with us barring us from that favor,

Regret at that impeded our consent, so we are blamed,

so we may be reconciled, or is the exalted ear deaf?

Are our hearing and the exalted assembly to blame?

أَما إِنَّهُ شُغلٌ فَراغُكَ بَعدَهُ

أَما إِنَّهُ شُغلٌ فَراغُكَ بَعدَهُ

سَيَنصاتُ إِلّا أَنَّ مَوعِدَهُ الحَشرُ

سَيَنصاتُ إِلّا أَنَّ مَوعِدَهُ الحَشرُ

Indeed, this is an occupation; your release from it

It is your preoccupation, and when free, you will listen,

will be heard of, but its appointed time is the Gathering.

Unless the appointment is the Day of Resurrection.

أَأَنساكَ لَمّا يَنأَ عَهدٌ وَلو نَأى

أَأَنساكَ لَمّا يَنأَ عَهدٌ وَلو نَأى

سَجيسَ اللَيالي لَم يَرِم نَفسِيَ الذِكرُ

سَجيسَ اللَيالي لَم يَرِم نَفسِيَ الذِكرُ

Could I forget you when our time together is not yet distant? Even were it distant

Could I forget you when a covenant has been broken, even if

through endless nights, remembrance would never leave my soul.

The prolonged dark nights ceased to blame my soul?

وَكَيفَ بِنِسيانٍ وَقَد مَلَأَت يَدي

وَكَيفَ بِنِسيانٍ وَقَد مَلَأَت يَدي

جِسامُ أَيادٍ مِنكَ أَيسَرُها الوَفرُ

جِسامُ أَيادٍ مِنكَ أَيسَرُها الوَفرُ

And how could I forget, when my hand has been filled

How can there be forgetfulness when you filled my hands

with great favors from you, the least of them abundant wealth?

With generous favors, the least being abundant?

لَئِن كُنتُ لَم أَشكُر لَكَ المِنَنَ الَّتي

لَئِن كُنتُ لَم أَشكُر لَكَ المِنَنَ الَّتي

تَمَلَّيتُها تَترى لَأَوبَقَني الكُفرُ

تَمَلَّيتُها تَترى لَأَوبَقَني الكُفرُ

Had I failed to thank you for the favors that

If I have not thanked you for blessings

I savored in succession, ingratitude would have destroyed me.

That overwhelmed me, disbelief would ruin me.

فَهَل عَلِمَ الشِلوُ المُقَدَّسُ أَنَّني

فَهَل عَلِمَ الشِلوُ المُقَدَّسُ أَنَّني

مُسَوِّغُ حالٍ ضَلَّ في كُنهِها الفِكرُ

مُسَوِّغُ حالٍ ضَلَّ في كُنهِها الفِكرُ

Does the sanctified body know that I

Does the Sacred Side know that I

enjoy a condition whose depths leave thought bewildered,

Justify a condition whose reality perplexes the mind?

وَأَنَّ مَتابي لَم يُضِعهُ مُحَمَّدٌ

وَأَنَّ مَتابي لَم يُضِعهُ مُحَمَّدٌ

خَليفَتُكَ العَدلُ الرِضى وَابنُكَ البَرُّ

خَليفَتُكَ العَدلُ الرِضى وَابنُكَ البَرُّ

and that Muhammad has not neglected my return,

That my repentance was not neglected by Muhammad,

your just, worthy successor and your dutiful son?

Your just Caliph, the Pleased One, and your righteous son.

هُوَ الظافِرُ الأَعلى المُؤَيَّدُ بِالَّذي

هُوَ الظافِرُ الأَعلى المُؤَيَّدُ بِالَّذي

لَهُ في الَّذي وَلّاهُ مِن صُنعِهِ سِرُّ

لَهُ في الَّذي وَلّاهُ مِن صُنعِهِ سِرُّ

He is the supreme victor, supported by the One

He is the prominent victor, supported by the One

whose handiwork holds a mystery in what He has entrusted to him.

Who entrusted him, and with whom he shares secrets.

رَأى في اِختِصاصي مارَأَيتَ وَزادَني

رَأى في اِختِصاصي مارَأَيتَ وَزادَني

مَزِيَّةَ زُلفى مِن نَتائِجِها الفَخرُ

مَزِيَّةَ زُلفى مِن نَتائِجِها الفَخرُ

He saw in singling me out what you saw, and granted me more:

He saw in choosing me what you saw, and gave me

the privilege of nearness, among whose fruits is pride.

The preference of closeness, resulting in pride.

وَأَرغَمَ في بِرّي أُنوفَ عِصابَةٍ

وَأَرغَمَ في بِرّي أُنوفَ عِصابَةٍ

لِقاؤُهُمُ جَهمٌ وَلَحظُهُمُ شَزرُ

لِقاؤُهُمُ جَهمٌ وَلَحظُهُمُ شَزرُ

By his kindness to me, he rubbed a faction's noses in the dust,

And in my devotion he humiliated the noses

whose welcome is grim and whose glances are hostile.

Of foes whose meeting is hellfire and glance is spark.

إِذا ما اِستَوى في الدَستِ عاقِدَ حَبوَةٍ

إِذا ما اِستَوى في الدَستِ عاقِدَ حَبوَةٍ

وَقامَ سِماطاً حَفلِهِ فَلِيَ الصَدرُ

وَقامَ سِماطاً حَفلِهِ فَلِيَ الصَدرُ

When he settles on the throne with his knees bound up,

When the circle of devotion is aligned in hand

and his assembly's two ranks stand, the foremost place is mine.

And I stand equal to them, superiority is mine.

وَفي نَفسِهِ العَلياءَ لي مُتَبَوَّأٌ

وَفي نَفسِهِ العَلياءَ لي مُتَبَوَّأٌ

يُنافِسُني فيهِ السِماكانِ وَالنَسرُ

يُنافِسُني فيهِ السِماكانِ وَالنَسرُ

And in his lofty soul I have a dwelling

In his exalted self I have a privileged place,

for which the two Simaks and the Eagle vie with me.

Competing with Sirius and the eagle.

يُطيلُ العِدا فِيَّ التَناجِيَ خُفيَةً

يُطيلُ العِدا فِيَّ التَناجِيَ خُفيَةً

يَقولونَ لاتَستَفتِ قَد قُضِيَ الأَمرُ

يَقولونَ لاتَستَفتِ قَد قُضِيَ الأَمرُ

My enemies prolong their covert whispering about me,

The enemies speak against me in secret gatherings:

saying, 'Seek no verdict; the matter is decided.'

"Do not consult him, the matter is decided."

مَضى نَفثُهُم في عُقدَةِ السَعيِ ضَلَّةً

مَضى نَفثُهُم في عُقدَةِ السَعيِ ضَلَّةً

فَعادَ عَلَيهِم غُمَّةً ذَلِكَ السِحرُ

فَعادَ عَلَيهِم غُمَّةً ذَلِكَ السِحرُ

Their blowing into the knot of their scheming went astray,

But their plotting in pursuing the goal was misguided,

and that sorcery returned upon them as grief.

So it recoiled back upon them, their sorcery failed.

يَشِبَّ مَكاني عَن تَوَقّي مَكانِهِم

يَشِبَّ مَكاني عَن تَوَقّي مَكانِهِم

كَما شَبَّ قَبلَ اليَومِ عَن طَوقِهِ عَمرُ

كَما شَبَّ قَبلَ اليَومِ عَن طَوقِهِ عَمرُ

My station has outgrown the need to guard against theirs,

My position prevents me from desiring theirs,

as 'Amr long ago outgrew his collar.

As age beforehand prevented youth from its orbit.

لَكَ الخَيرُ إِنَّ الرُزءَ كانَ غَيابَةً

لَكَ الخَيرُ إِنَّ الرُزءَ كانَ غَيابَةً

طَلَعَت لَنا فيها كَما طَلَعَ البَدرُ

طَلَعَت لَنا فيها كَما طَلَعَ البَدرُ

May good be yours! The calamity was a dark hollow

Goodness to you, grief was an absence

in which you rose for us as the full moon rises.

In which, like the full moon, hope shone for us.

فَقَرَّت عُيونٌ كانَ أَسخَنَها البُكا

فَقَرَّت عُيونٌ كانَ أَسخَنَها البُكا

وَقَرَّت قُلوبٌ كانَ زَلزَلَها الذُعرُ

وَقَرَّت قُلوبٌ كانَ زَلزَلَها الذُعرُ

Then eyes were cooled that weeping had made hot,

You performed the obligatory prayer sincerely,

and hearts grew still that terror had shaken.

Farewelling it with ritual purity and presence of mind.

وَلَولاكَ أَعيا رَأيُنا ذَلِكَ الثَأيُ

وَلَولاكَ أَعيا رَأيُنا ذَلِكَ الثَأيُ

وَعَزَّ فَلَمّا يَنتَعِش ذَلِكَ العَثرُ

وَعَزَّ فَلَمّا يَنتَعِش ذَلِكَ العَثرُ

But for you, that breach would have baffled our judgment,

Previously, you offered supererogatory prayers in pairs

and proved too hard to mend; that fall would not yet have been righted.

To match those who fast out of need when breaking fast.

وَلَمّا قَدَمتَ الجَيشَ بِالأَمسِ أَشرَقَت

وَلَمّا قَدَمتَ الجَيشَ بِالأَمسِ أَشرَقَت

إِلَيكَ مِنَ الآمالِ آفاقُها الغُبرُ

إِلَيكَ مِنَ الآمالِ آفاقُها الغُبرُ

And when you led the army yesterday, there brightened

You went to the palace which was too lofty

toward you the dusty horizons of hope.

For any other palace to approach its loftiness.

فَقَضَيتِ مِن فَرضِ الصَلاةِ لُبانَةً

فَقَضَيتِ مِن فَرضِ الصَلاةِ لُبانَةً

مُشَيِّعُها نُسكٌ وَفارِطُها طُهرُ

مُشَيِّعُها نُسكٌ وَفارِطُها طُهرُ

You fulfilled a heartfelt need through the obligatory prayer,

May both continue forever in the goodness of an era

its escort devotion, its forerunner purity.

Forbidden from their company is separation.

وَمَن قَبلُ ما قَدَّمتَ مَثنى نَوافِلٍ

وَمَن قَبلُ ما قَدَّمتَ مَثنى نَوافِلٍ

يُلاقي بِها مَن صامَ مِن عَوَزٍ فِطرُ

يُلاقي بِها مَن صامَ مِن عَوَزٍ فِطرُ

And earlier, what you sent ahead were paired voluntary gifts,

Spare the bereaved from consolation, for if he is gone,

through which a meal met those who had fasted from want.

You are not the one lamenting nor the sobbing breast.

وَرُحتَ إِلى القَصرِ الَّذي غَضَّ طَرفَهُ

وَرُحتَ إِلى القَصرِ الَّذي غَضَّ طَرفَهُ

بُعَيدَ التَسامي أَن غَدا غَيرَهُ القَصرُ

بُعَيدَ التَسامي أَن غَدا غَيرَهُ القَصرُ

And you went to the palace that had lowered its gaze

The seventy before the people of proof

soon after rising high, since another had become the palace.

Did not attain the tenth of what your decade attained.

فَداما مَعاً في خَيرِ دَهرٍ صُروفُهُ

فَداما مَعاً في خَيرِ دَهرٍ صُروفُهُ

حَرامٌ عَلَيها أَن يَطورَهُما هَجرُ

حَرامٌ عَلَيها أَن يَطورَهُما هَجرُ

May you both endure together in the best of times, whose changes

Are you not the one who, if a mind was constrained by an event,

are forbidden to let estrangement approach you both.

The face beamed and the chest expanded?

وَأَجمِل عَنِ الثاوي العَزاءَ فَإِن ثَوى

وَأَجمِل عَنِ الثاوي العَزاءَ فَإِن ثَوى

فَإِنَّكَ لا الواني وَلا الضَرَعُ الغُمرُ

فَإِنَّكَ لا الواني وَلا الضَرَعُ الغُمرُ

And show noble patience for the one at rest; though he rests,

Then do not flap the wing of grief afterwards,

you are neither languid nor a feeble novice.

For who but you can mend the adversities of the world?

وَما أَعطَتِ السَبعونَ قَبلُ أُولي الحِجى

وَما أَعطَتِ السَبعونَ قَبلُ أُولي الحِجى

مِنَ الإِربِ ما أَعطَتكَ عَشروكَ وَالعُشرُ

مِنَ الإِربِ ما أَعطَتكَ عَشروكَ وَالعُشرُ

Seventy years have never before given the wise

You remain, your army abundant in well-being,

the discernment your twenty years and ten have given you.

Bound to them, their multitude your pride.

أَلَستَ الَّذي إِن ضاقَ ذَرعٌ بِحادِثٍ

أَلَستَ الَّذي إِن ضاقَ ذَرعٌ بِحادِثٍ

تَبَلَّجَ مِنهُ الوَجهُ وَاِتَّسَعَ الصَدرُ

تَبَلَّجَ مِنهُ الوَجهُ وَاِتَّسَعَ الصَدرُ

Are you not the one who, when endurance is strained by calamity,

You are a sun in the sky of leadership,

brightens in face and opens wide his breast?

Around it orbiting stars glowing.

فَلا تَهِضِ الدُنيا جَناحَكَ بَعدَهُ

فَلا تَهِضِ الدُنيا جَناحَكَ بَعدَهُ

فَمِنكَ لِمَن هاضَت نَوائِبُها جَبرُ

فَمِنكَ لِمَن هاضَت نَوائِبُها جَبرُ

May the world not break your wing after him,

We doubted - did the days of our time

for you bring mending to those its calamities have broken.

Bring years and old age, or did intoxication make it stumble?

وَلا زِلتَ مَوفورَ العَديدِ بِقُرَّةٍ

وَلا زِلتَ مَوفورَ العَديدِ بِقُرَّةٍ

لِعَينَيكَ مَشدوداً بِهِم ذَلِكَ الأَزرُ

لِعَينَيكَ مَشدوداً بِهِم ذَلِكَ الأَزرُ

May your company ever be plentiful, bringing delight

When it was not wooed by trials,

to your eyes, your strength made firm through them.

Or walked in its joints intoxicated.

فَإِنَّكَ شَمسٌ في سَماءِ رِياسَةٍ

فَإِنَّكَ شَمسٌ في سَماءِ رِياسَةٍ

تَطَلَّعُ مِنهُم حَولَها أَنجُمٌ زُهرُ

تَطَلَّعُ مِنهُم حَولَها أَنجُمٌ زُهرُ

For you are a sun in the heaven of leadership,

But only the joys from the disposition of a just king,

around which bright stars rise from among them.

Whose truth is verified by each succeeding news.

شَكَكنا فَلَم نُثبِت أَأَيّامُ دَهرِنا

شَكَكنا فَلَم نُثبِت أَأَيّامُ دَهرِنا

بِها وَسَنٌ أَم هَزَّ أَعطافَها سُكرُ

بِها وَسَنٌ أَم هَزَّ أَعطافَها سُكرُ

We doubted and could not be sure: are the days of our age

I see if time wreaks havoc, you are its right hand,

drowsy, or has intoxication swayed their flanks?

And if the world smiles, you are its mouth.

وَما إِن تَغَشَّتها مُغازَلَةُ الكَرى

وَما إِن تَغَشَّتها مُغازَلَةُ الكَرى

وَما إِن تَمَشَّت في مَفاصِلِها خَمرُ

وَما إِن تَمَشَّت في مَفاصِلِها خَمرُ

Yet no wooing by sleep has enveloped them,

How many who asked for rain were answered by you there,

nor has wine coursed through their joints,

Hands pleading while even and odd joined.

سِوى نَشَواتٍ مِن سَجايا مُمَلَّكٍ

سِوى نَشَواتٍ مِن سَجايا مُمَلَّكٍ

يُصَدِّقُ في عَليائِها الخَبَرَ الخُبرُ

يُصَدِّقُ في عَليائِها الخَبَرَ الخُبرُ

but only raptures from a crowned king's virtues,

There lies piety, knowledge, forbearance and prohibition,

in whose loftiness experience bears out report.

Giving aid, courage, order and prose and verse.

أَرى الدَهرَ إِن يَبطِش فَأَنتَ يَمينُهُ

أَرى الدَهرَ إِن يَبطِش فَأَنتَ يَمينُهُ

وَإِن تَضحَكِ الدُنيا فَأَنتَ لَها ثَغرُ

وَإِن تَضحَكِ الدُنيا فَأَنتَ لَها ثَغرُ

I see that if Time strikes, you are its right hand,

Ambitions, when meeting the adversary, repelled him,

and if the world laughs, you are its mouth.

Its advance a stride, its retreat dignity.

وَكَم سائِلٍ بِالغَيثِ عَنكَ أَجَبتَهُ

وَكَم سائِلٍ بِالغَيثِ عَنكَ أَجَبتَهُ

هُناكَ الأَيادي الشَفعُ وَالسُؤدَدُ الوِترُ

هُناكَ الأَيادي الشَفعُ وَالسُؤدَدُ الوِترُ

How many a questioner asking the rain about you have you answered!

The beauty of a garden which the dew stirred,

There are favors in pairs and noble eminence without peer;

A meadow, when set out its adornments shine, not needing arranging.

هُناكَ التُقى وَالعِلمُ وَالحِلمُ وَالنُهى

هُناكَ التُقى وَالعِلمُ وَالحِلمُ وَالنُهى

وَبَذلُ اللُها وَالبَأسُ وَالنَظمُ وَالنَثرُ

وَبَذلُ اللُها وَالبَأسُ وَالنَظمُ وَالنَثرُ

there are piety, knowledge, forbearance, and intellect,

When it blossomed, its enduring musk never

the giving of riches, valor, verse, and prose.

Felt shy nor its ambergris prideful.

هُمامٌ إِذا لاقى المُناجِزَ رَدَّهُ

هُمامٌ إِذا لاقى المُناجِزَ رَدَّهُ

وَإِقبالُهُ خَطوٌ وَإِدبارُهُ حُضرُ

وَإِقبالُهُ خَطوٌ وَإِدبارُهُ حُضرُ

A resolute man: when he meets a challenger, he drives him back,

Giving without favor, wisdom without passion,

the challenger approaching at a walk, retreating at a run.

Forbearance without weakness, honor without arrogance.

مَحاسِنُ مالِلرَوضِ خامَرَهُ النَدى

مَحاسِنُ مالِلرَوضِ خامَرَهُ النَدى

رُواءٌ إِذا نُصَّت حُلاها وَلا نَشرُ

رُواءٌ إِذا نُصَّت حُلاها وَلا نَشرُ

Beauties: the garden suffused with dew has no

Blessing fulfilled its perfection in you to us,

splendor or fragrance when their adornments are displayed.

So praise and thanks are due to Allah from us.

مَتى انتُشِقَت لَم تُطرِ دارينُ مِسكِها

مَتى انتُشِقَت لَم تُطرِ دارينُ مِسكِها

حَياءً وَلَم يَفخَر بِعَنبَرِهِ الشَحرُ

حَياءً وَلَم يَفخَر بِعَنبَرِهِ الشَحرُ

Whenever they are inhaled, Darin does not extol its musk,

for shame, nor does al-Shihr boast of its ambergris.

عَطاءٌ وَلا مَنٌّ وَحُكمٌ وَلا هَوىً

عَطاءٌ وَلا مَنٌّ وَحُكمٌ وَلا هَوىً

وَحِلمٌ وَلا عَجزٌ وَعِزٌّ وَلا كِبرُ

وَحِلمٌ وَلا عَجزٌ وَعِزٌّ وَلا كِبرُ

Giving without reproach, judgment without caprice,

forbearance without weakness, might without arrogance.

قَدِ اِستَوفَتِ النَعماءُ فيكَ تَمامَها

قَدِ اِستَوفَتِ النَعماءُ فيكَ تَمامَها

عَلَينا فَمِنّا الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ وَالشُكرُ

عَلَينا فَمِنّا الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ وَالشُكرُ

In you, blessing has reached its full perfection

for us; from us, then, praise and thanks to God.